2018 University of Maryland School of Medicine Gala Celebrates Impassioned Care, Inspired Discoveries

The air was filled with history, enthusiasm, and appreciation on a warm spring evening as more than 1,000 business and community leaders, donors, faculty, staff, students, and other distinguished guests gathered for the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Annual Gala in Baltimore. The School of Medicine Gala coincides annually with the Medical Alumni Association Reunion Weekend.

The theme for the 2018 Gala was Impassioned Care, Inspired Discoveries, which set the tone for an evening of celebration and recognition of the achievements and discoveries of our world-class physicians, biomedical researchers, and allied health professionals.

“Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the impassioned care and inspired discoveries that are occurring every day in our School of Medicine,” said E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at UM Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

"Each and every day innovations and discoveries are occurring in the School of Medicine and these breakthroughs offer new hope and healing to individuals here in Maryland, across the nation, and indeed around the world.”

This year’s honorary Gala chairs were Gloria Banks, an international motivational speaker and elite executive sales director for Mary Kay cosmetics, and her husband Ken Banks, President of Banks Contracting Company and member of the School of Medicine's Board of Visitors. “This is such an appropriate theme, and one that truly reflects the spirit of this outstanding institution,” said Ken Banks.

Dean Reece announced the generous gift of $20 million made by Robert E. Fischell, ScD and his wife Susan R. Fischell to the School of Medicine to establish the Fischell Center for Biomedical Innovation, as well as to fund professorships and research. “The possibilities are endless when engineering and medicine collaborate to improve health care for millions of patients,” said Dr. Fischell. For years, Fischell and his wife Susan have generously supported the School of Medicine with major donations and gifts. Dr. Fischell is a holder of more than 200 U.S. and foreign patents on medical devices, and has served as a vital member of the School of Medicine Board of Visitors. Dr. Fischell’s inventions include coronary artery stents, implantable heart defibrillators, an implantable insulin pump and other critical devices that have extended and improved the quality of life for millions of people around the globe. “The Fischell Center for Biomedical Innovation will have the unique purpose of exploring connections between medicine, engineering, and business. This center will use these intersections to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, and potential cures to benefit patients and positively impact on economic development in our city, and our state,” said Dean Reece.

Robert A. Chrencik, President and CEO, UMMS; Darren Parker, Interim Associate Dean for Development; Robert L. Caret, USM Chancellor; Robert E. and Susan Fischell;  Jay Perman, UMB President; Mayor Catherine Pugh; Michael Cryor, Chairman SOM BOV, and E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, and Dean of the School of Medicine

Private philanthropy continues to be integral to the growth of the School of Medicine. Dean Reece highlighted the impact donors have had on advancing the work of the School. "Each of you have contributed in many ways to the overall success of the School of Medicine, and for that we are extremely grateful,” he said. In recognition of the generous philanthropic support and dedicated partnerships with the business and corporate communities, Dean Reece announced two inaugural recipients of the Business Innovation Award: Whiting Turner Contracting Company and Future Care.

The Gala program closed with a special video presentation (below), showcasing a series of breakthroughs made by the school’s academic community -- efforts that have propelled innovations and discoveries that have saved lives both here and around the globe.

2018 Gala Sponsors

Thank You To Our 2018 School Of Medicine Gala Sponsors!

UMSOM Gala Website

2018 Gala Video